Impact Innovations

SWOP - Prostate Risk CalculatorThe Prostate Cancer Research Foundation – Stichting Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Prostaatkanker (SWOP) – is an initiative of the Department of Urology of the Erasmus MC, the University and Medical Centre of Rotterdam, in The Netherlands. The goal of the Foundation is the financial support of scientific research projects in the field of prostate cancer specifically, and other cancers of the urinary tract in general.

Erasmus MC is one of eight European centres taking part in the world’s largest study of screening for prostate cancer, the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer,(ERSPC). The ERSPC was co-founded by Prof. Dr. F.H. Schröder, now emeritus professor at Erasmus and he is also co-founder of the Foundation. Under his leadership, the ERSPC continues to explore and determine the value of early detection of prostate cancer.

MR CLEANIn Western Europe and the US, the annual incidence of ischemic stroke is about 2 per 1000. Half of all patients with stroke die or remain severely disabled. Treatment with intravenous (IV) alteplase, aiming at early reperfusion has been proven effective for these patients, when they are treated within 4.5 hours, and when there are no contra-indications. In about one third of the patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke, symptoms are caused by a proximal occlusion of one of the major intracranial arteries. IV alteplase only leads to recanalization in up to 33% of these patients. In those without recanalization, functional outcome is generally poor.The results of MR CLEAN trial and 4 other international randomized controlled trials on endovascular treatment (EVT) in proximal anterior circulation stroke were published (EXTEND-IA , ESCAPE , SWIFT-PRIME and REVASCAT ), all of them confirming the safety and efficacy of EVT and its importance for the advancement of stroke care. They were followed by PISTE and THRACE, both confirmed the effect of thrombectomy. This has resulted in a strong momentum swing, with clinicians and researchers worldwide now targeting ways to further improve EVT effectiveness. Recent American and Canadian guidelines have been updated stating that EVT should be standard of care for eligible patients (AHA/ASA and Canadian). With proof of a beneficial effect now available, the full implementation and integration of EVT in the Dutch health care system has started. The Dutch ministry of health has decided to reimburse EVT in acute ischemic stroke patients, in the MR CLEAN trial centers.

Obesity Clinic CGGThe Obesity Clinic CGG (Healthy Weight Centre), located in Rotterdam, is the headquarters of the cooperation between paediatricians, internal medicine specialist and surgeons from three hospitals. The centre is focused on providing care for children and adults with (serious) obesity. These healthcare specialists work together to offer the best possible care, at the right location. They strive to provide an innovative and effective approach to battle (serious) obesity, as well as cooperate on scientific research into obesity (care). The Obesity Clinic CGG aims to provide tailor-made care, adapted to the client's individual characteristics. The level of cooperation and the broad scope are what makes this a unique institute.

Mothers of RotterdamThe Mothers of Rotterdam program aims to provide pregnant women in the most vulnerable groups with a support and care program to sustainably improve their vulnerable situation. The ambition of this program is twofold; to develop a demonstrably effective intervention for tangible support to these vulnerable pregnant women; the implementation of this intervention in the existing procedures of urban care institutions and community welfare teams. The organization responsible for implementing the program is Bureau Frontlijn. The research is performed by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine of Erasmus University Medical Centre. Both the program and the associated scientific researchare funded by De Verre Bergen Foundation.

QUANTIBAnalyzing medical images is an art and a scienceThe goal of QUANTIB is to give radiologists the best radiology software tools to help deliver fast, objective, accurate and insightful reportsAt Quantib they try to solve the radiologist’s hardest challenges and to make sure they can spend their time in the most valuable way. Medical images enclose secrets about diseases we wish to unravel just as much as physicians do. Therefore, QUANTIB aims to develop medical image analysis software that pushes the boundaries of manual analysis. It should be fast, it should be accurate, it should be able to detect abnormalities you can’t see with the naked eye.

ViruskennerViruskenner is a project for primary and high school students to gain knowledge on (exotic) viruses. How do viral infections spread, what is their effect on the human and animal body, how do people get infected, and foremost: how to cure people or prevent them from falling ill?Schools in the Netherlands, Italy, Suriname, Indonesia, Senegal are participating and join the Viruskenner community.Like viruses, knowledge and awareness are not limited to borders. Students get to work in teams with the knowledge they gain during the project. The question is 'How do I want to spread this knowledge'. They are supported by their mentors and Viruskenner coaches, who assist them wherever they can. On the national final days the teams from all participating schools pitch the best ideas together for a professional jury. The day is closed with the Viruskenner quiz: who is the Viruskenner of the year?

MyCyFAPPMyCyFAPP focuses on promoting and maintaining adequate nutritional behaviors by promoting an active role of the patients. The set of digital tools created for patients and their caregivers aim at increasing their knowledge of the disease by offering them tools for sel-managing their nutrition.

MyCyFAPP has designed a digital ecosystem to help children with cystic fibrosis and their families to manage the nutritional aspects of the disease. It aims at the self-management of enzyme replacement in Cystic Fibrosis patients by means of a mobile application (APP) that allows for a personalised and accurate control and monitoring of the disease thanks to the interaction between health professionals and patients.

iSPACEVirtual reality for monitoring embryo developmentStudying images of embryos which 'float' in Erasmus MC's virtual research I-Space results in important information about the growth and development of the unborn baby. This is the finding of dr. Melek Rousian from the department Obstetrics and Gynaecology.